Liz Heffernan, Molly Masaoka and Dr. Sharon Karayianis

Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training provides students with in-depth skills to teach Yoga as a vehicle for total wellness and provides a solid foundation in Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Philosophy, Practical Anatomy/Physiology, Therapeutic Alignment Principles, Somatics, Hands-on/Verbal Adjustments, & the Art of Teaching. Many graduates of the IYT program develop specialty programs, such as Yoga for back care, depression, seniors, stress management, and other health conditions and instruct yoga based wellness classes in a variety of complementary settings including yoga studios, hospitals, businesses, and community health care settings. Graduates are eligible to apply for 200 hr Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) status with Yoga Alliance.

About the Facilitator(s)

Liz Heffernan, MA, E-RYT, PYT-1000, Integrative Yoga Therapy® (IYT) primary faculty member, is a certified IYT Therapist and yoga instructor of over 17 years. Liz brings a passion for therapeutics and extensive experience in the Hatha yoga systems of Kripalu, Ashtanga and Anusara. Her vision is to inspire teachers to share the healing practices of yoga with those motivated to seek a path of self-discovery and self-care. Through a comprehensive application of bio-mechanical principles of alignment for deep therapeutic work, a strong focus on the breath and a heart expanding philosophy, she inspires her students toward greater degrees of freedom in body, mind and in spirit.

Innately perceptive beyond her years, and wildly passionate about everything in her path, Molly applies a level of determination and delight that is truly one of a kind. Her unique teaching style is both intense and focused but lightened with creativity, compassion and humor. She believes that this balance of effort and surrender is the key to unlocking the awareness of ones true nature. A student of yoga since the age of 16, Molly has studied intensely with Chuck Miller, and completed teacher trainings with Annie Carpenter and Don Stapelton. She credits Annie for giving her the skills to teach intentional alignment and sequencing, Don for the ability to encourage self-inquiry and Chuck for finding the unity in all things. In addition to leading teacher trainings, workshops and retreats, Molly also owns Yoga Centered Studio and Boutique in Hilo, Hawaii. She is an influential member of her yoga community and serves as a mentor to both students and other teachers. Ultimately she hopes to inspire others to share the practices of yoga that have so positively impacted her life.

Dr. Sharon Karayianis, MD attended medical school in Greece and practiced Pathology for 12 years. During that time she began teaching hatha yoga and studying Ayurveda part-time. In 1999 she made a change that she affectionately calls her "from death to life" transformation when she left the practice of Western medicine to study Ayurveda full-time with Dr. Vasant Lad in Albuquerque, NM. She spent 4 years at the Ayurvedic Institute as a student, yoga teacher and consultant in the Panchakarma Department. Two years teaching yoga in an ashram in India completed her life change and brought her home to the Big Island in 2005. She offers group and private classes and Ayurvedic lifestyle counseling.